Toy tree



April 20, 1965 s. J. BELLER 3,179,656l

TOY TREE Filed Sept. 3, 1963 2 Shee'Ls--Sheell 1 /7 army April 20, 1965 s. J. BELLI-:R 3,179,070

TOY TREE Filed sept. 3. 1963 2 sheets-sneer 2 United States Patent O 3,179,070 TOY TREE Sidney .1. Beller, 20500 Miranda Place, Woodland Hills, Calif. Filed Sept. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 306,181 2 Claims. (Cl. 10S-103) The present invention relates to supporting and display structures, and it relates more particularly to an improved tree-like multi-tiered assembly which simulates a carousel in some respects and which is particularly adapted to support and display toys.

As Will be described, the assembly of the invention is of the multi-tiered type, in the particular embodiment illustrated and described herein, so that a relatively large number of toys may be displayed on the different shelves of the structure.

The tiered shelves of the embodiment to be described are rotatable so that they may be turned to permit examination of the different toys supported and displayed on the platforms. Moreover, the rotatable nature of the shelves of the assembly further simulates its carousel characteristics.

The improved multi-tiered assembly of the invention finds utility, for example, in retail stores and in other merchandising centers. When so used, the assembly provides an attractive and convenient means for displaying toys, and the like.

The multi-tiered assembly of the invention is also useful as a toy itself. This is because of its carousel appearance. Also, the rotatable tiered shelves enhance its interest as a plaything. Furthermore, the improved toy tree of the invention may be used in the playroom of the home as a convenient and attractive means for readily storing toys in a minimum of space. The nature of the assembly encourages children to store their toys neatly on the tiered shelves.

An object of the invention therefore, is to provide an attractive toy tree assembly which may be used as a play.- thing, or as a display means; and which constitutes a convenient means for storing, holding and displaying toys and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an improved assembly which is rugged in its construction, and which is relatively simple and inexpensive to fabricate.

A feature of the invention, as mentioned above, is the provision of an improved toy tree which simulates a carousel in appearance; and which includes a plurality of tiered rotatable shelves for the convenient storage and display of toys, or the like.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention Will become apparent from a consideration of the following specification, when the specification is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the improved toy tree, representing one embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, exploded view of the upper portion of the assembly of FIGURE 1, partly in section, as viewed substantially along the lines 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded sectional view, of the base assembly of the toy tree of FIGURE 1, taken substantially on the line 3 3 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded perspective view of the base assembly, and of the lowermost rotatable shelf of the toy tree;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the peripheral edge of one of the tiered shelves, illustrating the manner in which a fresco-like design may be formed around the edges of the shelves;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view of a support post used to mount the tiered shelves of the toy tree of FIGURE 1 in spaced and parallel relationship; and

ICC

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view of the post of FIGURE 6, taken along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 6.

The toy tree of the present invention includes a base 10, and it also includes a plurality of tiered shelves 12. The shelves 12 are affixed to one another in spaced parallel relationship, so as to constitute a multi-tiered structure, as shown in FIGURE l. The base 10 and the shelves 12 are preferably circular, so that the tree assembly simulates a carousel in some respects A circular canopy 14 is mounted on the uppermost platform 12, and the canopy overhangs the shelves 12, so as to further provide the appearance of a carousel. The effect may be completed by the provision of a flag 16, mounted atop the canopy 14.

As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the lowermost circular shelf 12 has a lower surface with a concave configuration defined by a horizontal central portion 12a, an inclined intermediate portion 12b, and a horizontal outer peripheral portion 12C. The upper surface of the base 10, on the other hand, has a convex configuration to receive the under surface of the lowermost platform 12 and is defined by a horizontal central portion 10a, an inclined intermediate portion 10b, and a horizontal outer peripheral portion 10c. For standardization of parts and ease of manufacture, the other shelves 12 may have the same convex lower surfaces as the lowermost shelf.

A plurality of balls 18 are supported in individual recesses in the central, intermediate and outer peripheral portions 10a, 10b, and 10c of the upper surface of the base 10. As shown in FIGURE 4, for example, the balls 18 may be so supported in the upper surface of the base 10 in concentric circles. In a constructed embodiment, the outermost circle supported 32 balls, the intermediate circle supported 16 balls, and the innermost circle supported 8 balls. The balls ride in corresponding concentric circular grooves in the central, intermediate, and outer peripheral portions 12a, 12b, and 12e of the underside of the lowermost shelf 12.

The lowermost shelf 12 is supported on the base 10 by means of a post 20 (FIGURES 3 and 4). The post 20 is threaded into an aperture 21 in the center of the underside of the lowermost shelf 12; and the shelf is supported by means of a pin 22 on the balls 18, for rotation about the base 10. The lowermost shelf 12 also has a central threaded aperture 25 in its upper surface.

The pin 22 extends through a Washer 24 (FIGURE 3), and down through a central hole 23 in the lowermost shelf 22 and through a central hole 25 in the post 20, so as to support the post 20 on a central boss 26 in the base 10. The pin 22 is held in place by means of a suitable lower Washer 28, the ends of the pin being spread and bent out over the Washer 28. With the construction described above, the lowermost platform 12 is freely rotatable on the base 10.

A plurality of additional posts, such as the posts 30, 32 and 34 (FIGURE 1) are provided. These posts may be supplied in different lengths, and each is capable of being threaded into threaded central apertures in the other shelves 12, similar to the threaded apertures 21 and 25 in the lowermost shelf. The posts, such as the posts 30, 32 and 34, serve to afx the shelves 12 to one another in a rigid stacked relationship. The shelves may be spaced from one another by different amounts, as determined by the lengths of the individual posts. The posts are preferably striped, to add to the carousel, and attractive appearance of the assembly.

The upper surface of each of the shelves 12 may be depressed, as shown at 12a (FIGURE l), to facilitate the holding of different toys in the shelves. As shown in FIGURE 5, an attractive design may be formed around the peripheral edge of each of the shelves 12.

The posts, such as the posts 32 may have the form shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, and each post may be rmly threaded into the threaded central apertures top and bottom of the individual shelves 12.

The lower end ofthe post of the iiag 16, as shown in FIGURE 2, may be supported in a central aperture 39 circular collar 40 in a friction tit, the collar 40 being threaded to the uppermost post 34, as shown. The collar 40 may have a plurality of upright pins, such as the pins 41, formed in its upper surface. These pins extend through corresponding holes in the rim 44 of the canopy 14, so as to support the canopy.

As illustrated in the drawing, the toy tree of the invention may conveniently be constructed of wood. However, it may be constructed of any other appropriate material, such as metal or plastic.

The invention provides, therefore, an improved toy tree which, in the described embodiment, incorporates a plurality of tiered shelves which are rotatable with respect to the base, and which are capable of supporting toys, or the like.

The improved toy tree of the invention is constructed in an improved manner, so as to constitute a strong and rugged assembly, and yet one which can be manufactured and sold at a relatively low cost.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is intended in the claims to cover such modications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

VWhat is claimed is:

1. A combination amusement device and display stand, comprising:

a base member adapted to support the stand in a vertical position, said base member having a generally conveX Upper surface, a central portion and an outer peripheral portion of which are generally horizontally disposed, and an intermediate portion therebetween which is inclined;

a rotatable shelf having a generally concave lower surface, a central portion and an outer peripheral portion of which are generally horizontally disposed, and an intermediate portion Vtherebetween which is inclined; means rotatably connecting said base member and said shelf, said means comprising a vertically extending post having a central recess therein, said post projecting from one of said central portions and rotatably received on a vertically extending boss connected to the other of said central portions, pin means directed through said post and boss to rotatably conneet said base member and said rotatable shelf;

a plurality of balls positioned in circumferentially spaced recesses in said central portion, said intermediate portion and said outer peripheral portion of one of said surfaces, said balls projecting from said recesses and received in annular grooves in said central portion, said intermediate portion and said outer peripheral portion of the other of said surfaces;

and a series of vertically spaced shelves connected to said rotatable shelf.

2. A combination amusement device and display stand according to claim 1 wherein a canopy is connected above and projects radially outwardly of said shelves, said shelves being xedly connected together.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 875,494 12/07 Bedell 10S-139 1,368,132 2/21 Garlak 248.-349 X 1,742,164 12/29 Berke 248-415 1,941,906 1/34 Marinsky 108-103 X 2,351,293 6/44 Saunders 248-349 2,523,23 8 9/ 50 Tarbutton.

2,600,922 6/52 Rodolfa 248-349 2,648,579 8/53 Slyter et al. 10S-139 2,710,644 6/55 Krueger 10S-139 2,886,184 5/59 Crone 211-144 2,916,084 12/59 Bottemiller et al. 248-425 3,094,951 6/63 Levinson 108--103 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMBINATION AMUSEMENT DEVICE AND DISPLAY STAND, COMPRISING: A BASE MEMBER ADAPTED TO SUPPORT THE STAND IN A VERTICAL POSITION, SAID BASE MEMBER HAVING A GENERALLY CONVEX UPPER SURFACE, A CENTRAL PORTION AND AN OUTER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF WHICH ARE GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED, AND AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION THEREBETWEEN WHICH IS INCLINED; A ROTATABLE SHELF HAVING A GENERALLY CONCAVE LOWER SURFACE, A CENTRAL PORTION AND AN OUTER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF WHICH ARE GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED, AND AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION THEREBETWEEN WHICH IS INCLINED; MEANS ROTATABLY CONNECTING SAID BASE MEMBER AND SAID SHELF, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A VERTICALLY EXTENDING POST HAVING A CENTRAL RECESS THEREIN, SAID POST PROJECTING FROM ONE OF SAID CENTRAL PORTIONS AND ROTATABLY RECEIVED ON A VERTICALLY EXTENDING BOSS CONNECTED TO THE OTHER OF SAID CENTRAL PORTIONS, PIN MEANS DIRECTED THROUGH SAID POST AND BOSS TO ROTATABLY CONNECT SAID BASE MEMBER AND SAID ROTATABLE SHELF; A PLURALITY OF BALLS POSITIONED IN CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED RECESSES IN SAID CENTRAL PORTION, SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND SAID OUTER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF ONE OF SAID SURFACES, SAID BALLS PROJECTING FROM SAID RECESSES AND RECEIVED IN ANNULAR GROOVES IN SAID CENTRAL PORTION, SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND SAID OUTER PERIPHERAL PORTION OF THE OTHER OF SAID SURFACES; AND A SERIES OF VERTICALLY SPACED SHELVES CONNECTED TO SAID ROTATABLE SHELF. 